Don’t Short Yourself — MarketWatch’s new weekly newsletter that offers smart tips to help you earn, stack and grow your money. - The first piece of bona fide financial advice that I recall receiving after I graduated high school wasn’t a rip-roaring stock pick or a clever way to beat the S&P 500 SPX year after year. It was incredibly simple. In fact, its sheer simplicity made it impossible to forget. So, when I landed my first legit job out of college, I set up my company-sponsored retirement account, fu ...

Core Insights - Dave Ramsey is a well-known figure in financial advice, but some of his rules are criticized by financial professionals for being too rigid in today's economic context [1][2] Debt Management - Ramsey's advice to always avoid debt is questioned; strategic debt can be essential for long-term wealth accumulation in the current financial landscape [3][4] - Properly managed debt, such as mortgages for appreciating assets or low-interest loans for business ventures, can be beneficial [4] Investment Strategy - The recommendation to halt all investments while repaying debt is seen as flawed; it overlooks the importance of compounding and opportunity costs [5] - A more balanced approach is suggested, where a portion of disposable income is allocated to both debt repayment and investment contributions [6]

simon jhuan / Shutterstock.com Quick Read Americans working with a financial advisor average $132,000 in retirement savings, versus $62,000 for those without one. Those with advisors plan to retire at 64 compared to 66 for non-advised savers. Advised savers are more likely to have emergency funds and long-term plans accounting for economic volatility. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier ...

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Core Points - A young man named Jack is pressured by his father to surrender a six-figure inheritance in exchange for a small upfront payment [1] - The trust created by Jack's late grandfather is estimated to be worth between $250,000 and $300,000, with Jack set to inherit it after his father's passing [2] - Jack's father, a lawyer, is offering Jack between $5,000 and $10,000 upfront to release the trust [3] - Financial expert Dave Ramsey criticized the father's proposal as illogical and manipulative, emphasizing the significant disparity between the trust's value and the offered amount [4] - Jack expressed concerns that if his father accessed the full lump sum, there might be no money left for him [4] - The dynamic between Jack and his father was likened to a dangerous situation, with Ramsey warning of potential emotional backlash if Jack refuses [5] Additional Context - The Ramsey Show often addresses financial and family conflicts, providing guidance to callers facing various challenges [6] - In another instance, a caller faced threats regarding family land over financial irresponsibility, highlighting the theme of manipulation in family financial matters [7]

Core Insights - The article highlights the misconception that all mortgage debt provides valuable tax benefits, which is often perpetuated by financial advisors [1][4] - A specific case is presented where a financial advisor incorrectly recommended a $50,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) for tax write-offs that no longer exist due to changes in tax law [2][5] - The narrative emphasizes the importance of questioning financial advice, especially when it involves taking on debt for perceived benefits [4] Tax Law Changes - The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated deductions for home equity debt unless used for substantial home improvements [5] - The article points out that using a HELOC for everyday expenses or investments does not provide any tax benefits [2][5] Financial Advisor Accountability - The financial advisor in the case either misunderstood current tax laws or prioritized personal gain over the client's best interests [3][4] - The couple now faces unnecessary interest payments on the borrowed amount, which was based on a false understanding of tax advantages [3][4] Cost of Misguided Advice - The article illustrates that paying interest to generate tax deductions is often not financially sensible, as demonstrated by the couple's situation [4][5] - The couple is paying 8-10% interest on consumer spending, which is a significant financial burden [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment strategies and market coverage of a senior analyst with over 10 years of experience in European and North American markets [1] Group 1: Analyst Profile - The analyst is a senior analyst and private portfolio manager with extensive experience in generating value ideas [1] - The analyst covers a wide range of markets including Scandinavia, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Eastern Europe [1] Group 2: Investment Focus - The analyst focuses on reasonably valued stock ideas in both the U.S. market and European markets [1] - The analyst has a beneficial long position in the shares of DLB, indicating a personal investment interest [1]

Financial Advice - The advice suggests a strategy for minimizing birthday balloon costs by having children 10 years apart, allowing for balloon reuse [1] - The strategy claims potential savings of at least $2,000 over 21 years from balloon reuse [1] - The advice suggests investing the saved $2,000 into ZEC, hypothetically turning it into $200,000 [1] Investment Strategy (Hypothetical) - The advice promotes a hypothetical investment strategy involving ZEC for significant returns [1] - The advice suggests using the hypothetical investment gains to purchase a new car [1] Humorous Tone - The advice uses a humorous tone, suggesting infidelity as a way to repeat the strategy [1] - The advice concludes with the statement that becoming a millionaire is about small tricks [1]

Core Insights - Thrivent Bank aims to attract millennial and Gen Z customers dissatisfied with their current lenders by offering financial advice and support [1][3] - The bank received approval to operate as an industrial loan company (ILC) in June 2024, marking a significant milestone as the only ILC charter approved during the Biden administration [2][3] - Thrivent Bank differentiates itself by combining a digital platform with personal customer support, targeting consumers seeking purpose-driven financial planning [5][7] Company Overview - Thrivent Federal Credit Union transitioned to Thrivent Bank on June 1, 2024, after receiving necessary approvals [2] - The bank is based in Salt Lake City and is owned by Thrivent Holdings, expanding its customer base beyond religious affiliations [4] Business Strategy - The bank plans to launch a new digital banking interface, including savings and checking accounts, with further enhancements expected next year [6] - Thrivent Bank's technology budget is limited compared to larger banks, leading to reliance on third-party vendors for certain technological needs [6] - The bank emphasizes the importance of human interaction in banking, aiming to fill the gap left by automated services [7]

Group 1 - The article discusses the expertise of a senior analyst and private portfolio manager with over 10 years of experience in generating value ideas in European and North American markets [1] - The analyst contributes to iREIT®+HOYA Capital and Wide Moat Research LLC, covering various European markets including Scandinavia, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Eastern Europe [1] - The focus is on identifying reasonably valued stock ideas within these markets [1] Group 2 - The analyst holds beneficial long positions in shares of companies such as LEA, MGA, and ALV through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [1] - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting due diligence and research prior to any investment decisions [2] - It highlights the potential risks associated with short-term trading, options trading, and futures trading, which may not be suitable for investors with limited capital or experience [2]